News you need now about Jewish dogs

Look at that face. The one in the main image. It belongs to Marlowe, a gorgeous yellow Labrador with a habit of sleeping with one paw dangling inside his water bowl. On 24 July he  celebrates his first birthday – that’s after he gets his official naming certificate that confirms he is named in memory of Jake Marlowe, who was murdered at the Nova festival on October 7.

Marlowe is one of the three puppies sponsored by Lisa and Michael Marlowe and the supporters who attended the weekly Friday hostage vigil. That support continues, and the Marlowe’s along with many other walkers, took part in the charity’s 78km in 30 days challenge marking Israel’s 78th birthday. A total of £20,200 was raised for future guide dogs, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) support and emotional support dogs.

But back to Marlowe, now living in Rehovot with his puppy raisers Adar Fromovicy and Shai Sabag, who reported that at six months he had already mastered basic commands, could open certain doors and had perfected a persuasive stare that makes resisting him impossible.

Marlowe will stay there until he is 12 to 14 months old, after which he will be assessed to see if his future lies as a guide dog or in PTSD and emotional support work before starting specialist training. We’ll be watching him! https://israelguidedog.org.uk    

 FAST ROUTE TO PET RESCUE

You meet nice people at a lunch held for dogs. At the food fundraiser for rescue centre Tiny Shelter (tinyshelter.org) in Portugal’s Algarve were Craig and Tami Schreiber, a Jewish couple from San Diego, who founded Adopt Pets Portugal, a nationwide platform transforming pet adoption heading to the UK. Paws crossed. Like many countries, Portugal has thousands of rescue dogs and cats in shelters. Their  idea was to bring together adoptable animals in one searchable place. Their site links rescue organisations and allows users to search by breed, age, temperament and location.

During two decades of animal rescue, the couple has transported to America dogs saved from Thailand’s meat trade and from Peruvian streets. Now based in Portugal with Peru rescue Cusca and African Grey parrot Tita, they volunteer for Tiny Shelter, Carvoeiro Cat Charity and platform 24 rescue organisations. Their plan is to expand Adopt Pets Portugal across Europe and into the UK. If you spot a dog you love, the Schreibers will get it to you. So do look!

FOLLOW THE LEAD TO LOVE

After years of bringing Jews together, love hit a wall in May with this message on the JDate site: “We’re no longer available in your area.” Then the follow-up : “We’ve made some tough calls about where we operate and your area didn’t make the cut…” There was a collective whimper from UK Jewish singletons (and their mothers), but panic not. Romance is going to the dogs. According to a new survey of 2,000 UK dog owners, one in five say their furry friend helped them meet their partner. And dogs under the age of two double your chances!

“Dogs increasingly act as wingmen,” says dating expert Claire Rénier from the app Happn. For her, parks are the new singles bars and few know that better than Meet My Paws founder Martine Davis, who has taken her dog-walking community global. Designed to bring dog lovers together socially, Martine says around 10 percent of sign-ups tick the ‘romantic’ box.“It’s probably more,” says Rusty’s mum (pictured). “Sharing a love of dogs is a really easy way to find a compatible partner and I’m only ever confident to approach a man first if he has a dog.”  meetmypaws.com

Rest in Peace Dogs of Courage

On 4 May, a ceremony honoured courageous dogs of the IDF’s Oketz Unit who gave their lives protecting their owners. Thoughts for Bernie killed after identifying terrorists, and Ziggy  who saved six soldiers from a building.

Life magazine has a space for pets of all kinds, regardless of their level of observance. So send stories and pics to pets@jewishnews.co.uk